Double celebration at Carmarthen project


There has been a double celebration at a unique catering training project in Carmarthen.
SA31 @ Neuadd Y Sir, a café which provides supported training for participants of the COASTAL project, celebrated its first birthday on St David’s Day.
All participants who have had work experience and training at the café, which is based at County Hall, were invited back for the celebrations.
Carmarthenshire has secured £5.6m as part of the COASTAL Project to address economic inactivity.
SA31 is one of the flagship projects created with the funding.
COASTAL is a regional project – part-funded from European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the 2007-13 West Wales and the Valleys Convergence Programme.
COASTAL’S aim is to support 1,000 adults aged 16-64 over the next three years who face employment barriers as a result of severe disabilities or chronic health conditions access lifelong learning, skills and employment opportunities.
Each of the participants who train at SA31 learn valuable skills in food preparation, customer service and business.
They are supervised by qualified catering trainers, and gain certificates on completion of the course, which will help open new doors to future employment or other positive opportunities.
SA31 coordinator Tim Reilly said: “It was a momentous occasion, and it was very touching to see all the previous participants come together to join the first birthday celebration.
“SA31 has enabled the participants to gain valuable skills, which, in turn, has allowed many of them to enjoy further work placements and opportunities.”
Executive Board member for Health and Social Care, Cllr Pat Jones, said: “SA31 has proved such a huge success. It has been a pleasure to see the participants being supported to gain valuable skills which will help them gain employment in the future.
“The COASTAL scheme is benefiting hundreds of people who are economically inactive, and is helping them overcome barriers to employment through supported training and guidance.”
For further information, contact the COASTAL Project Management Team on 01267 228727.

Staff and participants at SA31 celebrate its first birthday on St David’s Day. Pic Jeff Connell

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